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Upcoming events June 20 - July 13

Three Menahga students, Samantha Acuff, Brianna Paulson and Bailey Yliniemi, have advanced to the FCCLA National Leadership Conference in Florida in July and are looking for community support to get there.

A pulled pork sandwich dinner and silent auction will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today (Saturday) at the Menahga City Park.

Stop by for a delicious homemade pulled pork sandwich and all the side dishes, (drink and dessert included).

Friends and family of Kathy Keske are sponsoring a spaghetti and meatball dinner and silent auction to help with Keske's medical expenses for cancer treatments.

The event will be held from 4 to 7:30 p.m. today (Saturday) at the Park Rapids American Legion with a freewill donation received.

Call 732-7878 or 732-3404 or 564-5606 for more information on silent auction donations or to donate a new or collectible item.

County 20 will provide special music. Supplemental funds will be provided by Thrivent For Lutherans and a matching fund of up to $5,000 by Becker Farms.

Join in the celebration of 35 Years of Masters Paintings at Nemeth Art Center. The Nemeth Art Center will celebrate the 35th anniversary from 7 to 9 p.m. today (Saturday) at the art center on Court Avenue.

Food and beverages will be served.

For the first time since 1977, all paintings in the Gabor and Edith Nemeth Study Collection will be on display. Also, experience the new multimedia tour of the collection, complete with a history of the art center.

The Park Rapids chapter of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association will hold their annual picnic at 6 p.m. followed by a chapter meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, July 2 at the Environmental Education Building on the fairgrounds.

Chapter FJ of the PEO Sisterhood will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday July 2 in the home of Kathy Ahrens.

The program will be a farewell roast after the potluck dinner.

Call Kathy with regrets.

Wednesday, July 4

The 34th annual Firecracker Footrace will take off at 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 4 from Heartland Park.

Registration for the 5K and 10K races/walks is from 6:30 to 8:15 a.m. Cost is $20 and includes a T shirt. A free kids fun run for ages 12 and under starts after the races.

Racers can pick up

T shirts and materials from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 3 at Heartland Park or prior to the race.

Proceeds benefit Park Rapids Area High School track and cross country program.

Performances are at 3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at 732-0099, longlaketheater.com, Beagle Books or Sister Wolf Books.

Ticketholders to the July 5 show are invited to an opening night gala at Jewel of the Northwoods Bed & Breakfast following the performance.

Friday, July 6

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and Hubbard County will offer a free nitrate water-testing clinic from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 6 and 7 at the Hubbard County Fairgrounds, in Park Rapids.

The clinic is the latest in a series of water-testing clinics sponsored by MDA. Nitrates are the most common contaminants in Minnesota's groundwater, and in some areas of the state a significant number of wells have high nitrate levels.

"Nitrates in drinking water can be a risk to human health," MDA Commissioner Dave Frederickson said. "Public drinking water supplies are monitored for nitrates, but it's important for homeowners with private wells to check their water and take action if their water has high nitrates levels."

To participate in the testing, homeowners are asked to bring at least one-half cup of water in a plastic baggie or container. To get a good sample, allow the tap to run 5 to 10 minutes before filling the container. Homeowners with distillation units, reverse osmosis or other nitrate removal systems should take two water samples - one before and one after the treatment process. This will determine if the system is working.

Homeowners with just a water softener need to take one sample, either before or after the water passes through the water softener.

Samples should be taken no more than 24 hours before the testing and must be kept refrigerated prior to testing.

To ensure accurate results, homeowners should mark the container with their name, phone number and a well identification number if more than one well is sampled.

Homeowners who wish to remain anonymous should choose an easily recognized "code number" to identify their sample. It is not necessary to provide information about the well or well location.

Contact Mark Sommer at 732-0121 for additional details.

Tuesday, July 10

The Park Rapids Healthy Moms Network will have a chapter meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 10 at the Park Rapids Area Library.

"Baby Talk" is the topic, which will include elimination communication - infant or early start potty training, the baby whisperer - all babies have an "off" switch to help calm and quiet them, and cloth diapering options for 2012.

All meetings are free and open to women of all ages. Children are welcome, but will need to be supervised, or able to engage in quiet activity.

Women who use cloth diapers should bring their cloth diapering options to share with the group.

For more information, contact Nicole Guida at 732-5229

Curtis and Loretta, a husband and wife folk duo, will perform at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 10 at the Park Rapids Area Library, a free concert sponsored by the Legacy Program of the Kitchigami Regional Library System.

"Curtis and Loretta are in many ways the quintessential folk duo: finely honed vocal harmonies of multidimensional intrigue, abundant talent on an array of stringed instruments, deep traditional roots, great originals and equally strong strains of gravity and playful irreverence," Rick Mason wrote in the Minneapolis City Pages A-List.

Saturday, July 7

The Osage Sportsman's Club will host an urban varmint shoot from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 7 at the Osage Sportsman's Club range.

The event promises fun for the whole family shooting milk cartons, pop bottles and other paraphernalia. Cost is $2 per shooter. Ages 12-16 must have a firearms certificate and parent.

The Nevis Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department's annual fundraiser will be held Saturday, July 7 at the Nevis Municipal Liquor Store.

A hog roast will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. with a back to the '80s street dance with music by Work Release from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Prizes will be awarded for those dressed in '80s flashback.

The Laporte-Benedict Lions will be holding Saturday 7 p.m. bingo and meat raffles July 7 (as part of the Laporte July 4th on the 7th celebration), July 21, and August 11, (during Laporte Days) all dates at the Lakeport Township Hall.

Players are asked to be there early to select cards and be ready to play by 7 p.m.

All proceeds will be used by the Laporte-Benedict Lions for local community projects.

Monday, July 9

Mantrap Valley Conservation Club Auxiliary will meet at 1:30 p.m. Monday, July 9 at the clubhouse.

Members will also meet at noon for lunch in Emma-ville. Contact Helen Marsh at 652-3295 for reservations.

A support group meeting for those affected by Celiac Disease will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, July 9 at Wadena Alliance Church, 1428 South Jefferson.

Bring a potluck item and gluten-free recipes.

For more information, contact Pat Johnson at 218-631-2170.

The Mantrap Valley Conservation Club will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, July 9 at the clubhouse.

Friday, July 13

The Guthrie-Nary Lions will host a hamburger social from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 13 at the Guthrie Community Center.

The Lake George Senior Center will have bingo that same evening starting at 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 28 as part of the annual Lake George Blueberry Festival.

Tuesday, July 17

PEO Chapter T will meet at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 17 at Itasca State Park.

Connie Cox will present a program on Mary Gibb. Lunch will follow in the Red Pine Room at the Douglas Lodge.

Saturday, July 21

The Twisted Stitchers will be working outside from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 21, at Pioneer Park, located on the west side of Main Avenue across from Monika's.

Bring a lawn chair. (Members will meet at Monika's in the event of inclement weather).

Everyone is welcome to bring a project and join in. For further information contact Kathy Belt at 732-0978.